News Flash

City News

Posted on: November 2, 2018

Portland Parks Conservancy Names Executive Director

The Portland Parks Conservancy is excited to announce that it has named Nan Cumming to serve as its first Executive Director. The Conservancy was launched by Elliotsville Plantation, Inc. in early 2018 to help support the numerous parks, trails, open spaces, programs, and recreational facilities of the City of Portland for public benefit, in order to enhance the quality of life, protect the environment, and promote the economic well-being of Portland. The Conservancy is a independent Maine non-profit corporation (IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit application pending).

“The Board of Directors is thrilled to have Nan as our inaugural Executive Director. Nan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the non-profit world, and just as importantly a real passion for the parks. We look forward to working with her to raise the funds needed to support and help grow the wonderful asset Portland has in its parks and recreational programs,” said Andrew Magoun, President, Board of Directors, Portland Parks Conservancy.

“I am deeply honored to be selected to serve such an important role with the Portland Parks Conservancy. Together with the board I look forward to supporting our city's beloved parks and open spaces which enhance our community and lives in so many ways,” said Nan Cumming.

Nan Cumming served as the Executive Director of Portland Trails from 1999 to 2011, working in partnership with the City of Portland on numerous trail and land conservation projects. She served as the Curator and Assistant Director of the Maine Historical Society from 1989 to 1999. She returned to MHS in 2013 to serve as its Director of Institutional Advancement.

Prior to moving to Maine in 1989, Nan worked in the Development Office of the Whitney Museum of American Art. She has a BA in History and Art History from Kalamazoo College in Michigan and earned her MA in American and New England Studies at the University of Southern Maine. Nan and her husband, Drew Masterman, live on Vesper Street in Portland.

The Portland Parks Conservancy’s mission is to support Portland’s parks, trails, and open spaces by raising philanthropic capital and encouraging civic engagement in alignment with community priorities. The Conservancy was incorporated in August 2017, and launched in early 2018.